In general, "The Archaic Course" and "Olden Domain" are two different drops from the same pond. Both albums are totally "Borknagar", with all the chill of powerful riffs, expressive vocals and the warmth of emotions. However, this time something's changed. Judging from the first track of this album, it can easily be assumed that Borknagar actually broke the bonds of their previous eccentric black metal expressions and moved towards a more progressive direction, if it can be named so.

Excellent album, and perfects the first trio of Borknagar albums, proving to be just as vital as the band's self titled and "The olden domain". Here we have much more atmospheric and epic material than ever before, and for that reason, it works very nicely indeed. The clean vocals seem to have taken on more of a prominent approach, particularly in songs such as 'Universal', 'The witching hour' and 'Nocturnal vision', though the harsher style is still there to make sure the band don't wander too far from their BM roots. My personal highlights are 'Universal' which has a grandiose sweep throughout and the somewhat progressive 'Ad Noctum', which features a suitable use of symphonic material. My only problem here is that sometimes the clean vocals sound a little shaky and weak, but only when compared to the harsher style.

IMO this band and this album specifically problem was or is , people expected hear black metal, and this band is not BM, only 1th album, so, its prog black even we know such genre don't exist
I didn't like it ok Borknagar as Borknagar, but still this album is week, I didn't like it so much , next one is much much better